Articles tagged with Robots
Researchers from UC San Diego successfully embedded complex sensors inside robotic limbs and grippers using commercial 3D printing. However, the performance of these sensors is limited by the use of non-conductive polymers, which require additional post-processing for optimal functionality.
Researchers at EPFL have developed Tribots, three-legged robots that can jump, communicate, and work together like ants. With multiple locomotion modes, they can detect and overcome obstacles, move objects, and even adapt to unknown environments.
Prof. Matthias Althoff's IMPROV system allows robots to assemble and customize themselves using various components, reducing costs and increasing safety. The system uses a built-in chip that enables self-programming and automatic awareness of its surroundings, enabling robots to avoid human contact and optimize tasks.
Researchers at Harvard University have invented a soft ring oscillator that enables soft robots to roll, undulate, sort and swallow. The invention uses pressurized air to create movement, allowing the robots to perform complex movements without electronic components.
A new study shows that social robots can lead to more positive emotions in sick children. The robotic teddy bear, Huggable, improved various patient outcomes compared to traditional interventions.
Carnegie Mellon University has been awarded a $2 million research initiative to develop technologies for robots to explore pits on the moon, which could provide access to shelter and resources. The project aims to mature the technologies necessary for a lunar mission by 2023.
Researchers at MIT have developed an algorithm that accurately aligns partial trajectories in real-time, allowing motion predictors to anticipate the timing of a person's motion. This breakthrough enables robots and humans to work together in close proximity without unnecessary pauses or conflicts.
Professor Archan Misra's new project 'C2SEA' aims to create battery-less wearable and IoT devices for sensing and in-situ computing, reducing energy consumption by 100-fold or greater.
Researchers developed a low-cost, sensor-packed glove that enables an AI system to recognize objects through touch alone. The glove produced high-resolution data at a fraction of the cost of existing sensors, allowing for accurate object classification and weight prediction with up to 76% accuracy.
Researchers have created a novel material that harnesses water to deliver force and motion, revolutionizing the development of soft robots. This new material is made from spores and adhesives, providing an alternative to traditional materials used in hard actuators.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin developed an AI agent that can gather visual information and reconstruct a full 360-degree image of its surroundings. The agent uses deep learning to choose the most informative shots, similar to how humans would take pictures in different directions based on prior experience.
A Brown University researcher has developed an algorithm that allows robots to mimic human handwriting and drawing, enabling them to communicate more fluently with humans. The robot can reproduce words and sketches in various languages with high accuracy, making it a significant step towards better communication between people and robots.
Researchers at the University of Maryland introduced a new way of combining perception and motor commands using hyperdimensional computing theory, which can fundamentally alter AI tasks. This integration enables robots to fuse their perceptions with motor capabilities, creating a more efficient and faster way to complete tasks.
LaViers' paper presents a simplified counting model that compares the expressive capabilities of robots and natural beings, revealing trends in robotic capacity. The research shows that robots perform similarly to a microscopic worm, highlighting the need for improvement in mimicking nature in robotics.
A new learning system developed by MIT researchers improves robots' abilities to shape materials and predict their interactions. The system, called a learning-based particle simulator, can handle diverse materials, including rigid objects, liquids, and deformable materials.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new design method to create soft robots using 3D printers, which can provide physical interaction and care for the elderly. The technology enables the efficient design and fabrication of soft robots that can be squeezed and stretched to perform complex motions such as gripping or crawling.
Researchers explore how humans perceive robot responsibility and argue that key capacities, such as autonomy and appearance, can influence moral judgments. This understanding is crucial for real-world public policy decisions as robots become increasingly integrated into society.
The UC3M's FECYT project produces educational videos addressing topics like self-driving vehicles, therapy robots, and rare illnesses, combining humour, scientific discoveries, and ethical dilemmas to engage young viewers.
Researchers have developed a drone-based system to spot treat weeds, reducing the risk of pesticide drift. The system uses AI-powered imaging and neural networks to identify weeds and deliver targeted pesticides.
A robot-guided video game has been developed to get older adults learning and working together, staving off dementia. The game's goal is to encourage physical movement and social interaction, addressing isolation a key contributor to dementia progression.
The team developed a transparent, waterproof, and conductive material that can repair itself in both air and water environments. This innovation has the potential to reduce electronic waste by enabling devices to perform self-repair functions.
A study by Cornell University found that when robots excel in competitions, people perceive themselves as less capable and less likable. The research suggests optimizing teams of humans and robots to minimize negative effects on human behavior and reactions.
New insights into nonsmooth surfaces, inspired by frilly surfaces on coral reefs and kale leaves, suggest potential applications in soft-body robotics. The research reveals that these surfaces can change direction without stretching, allowing for efficient movement and flexibility.
Researchers developed a hybrid chip that uses pulse-width encoding to conserve power. The chip enables small robots to operate for several hours on low power consumption, facilitating reconnaissance, search-and-rescue, and other missions. It also accommodates model-based programming and collaborative reinforcement learning.
Researchers discovered that snakes behave like light waves when colliding with obstacles, altering their trajectories through passive mechanisms. The study reveals insights into how limbless animals control their bodies in complex environments.
A study on a desert snake reveals that passive mechanics play a crucial role in its movement, allowing it to navigate complex terrain without altering its self-deformation pattern. This finding has implications for the design of limbless robots, which could improve their mobility in challenging environments.
Researchers discover Euglena cells can crawl fast in narrow spaces using metaboly, a coordinated body deformation. The study could inspire new technologies, such as soft robots that can move efficiently in complex environments.
A novel system developed at MIT uses RFID tags to help robots home in on moving objects with unprecedented speed and accuracy. The system, called TurboTrack, can locate tagged objects within 7.5 milliseconds, on average, and with an error of less than a centimeter.
A team led by Illinois professor Aimy Wissa studied the unique clicking mechanism of click beetles to inspire more agile robots. They discovered how the insect's hinge-like structure enables a quick release mechanism, which is being incorporated into robot prototypes.
Researchers at Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies and Australian Centre for Robotic Vision unveiled guiding principles for grasp type choice during object handover, facilitating human-robot cooperation. The study demonstrates that humans intuitively leave handles unobstructed to facilitate subsequent tasks.
MIT engineers have developed an algorithm that enables autonomous underwater vehicles to weigh the risks and potential rewards of exploring unknown regions. The algorithm assesses risk levels and reward probabilities in real-time, allowing AUVs to take calculated risks when justified by potential scientific rewards.
A cross-European analysis of public attitudes towards robots reveals growing skepticism, particularly in areas like surgeries and autonomous cars. Men tend to view robots positively, while women are more skeptical, with blue-collar workers and older populations showing more positive views.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed an ambidextrous approach that enables robots to grasp various objects without training, paving the way for faster and more efficient e-commerce fulfillment. The system uses a common reward function for different gripper types, allowing it to rapidly decide which gripper to use for each situation.
Researchers used game theory to programme robots that can anticipate human movements and respond safely. The breakthrough could aid robots in sports training, physical rehabilitation, or shared driving, complementing human capabilities.
Researchers apply biological principles of self-organisation to swarm robotics, enabling robots to grow shapes without predefined plans. The robot swarms adapt to damage and self-repair, making them reliable for real-world applications such as disaster response or temporary structures.
Researchers at IIT found that single plant leaves can generate more than 150 volts of electricity, enough to power 100 LED light bulbs. An 'hybrid tree' made of natural and artificial leaves can convert wind into electricity, providing a new sustainable energy source.
Researchers at NIST made measurements of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) a hundred times faster than before, resolving fine details of transient motions. This breakthrough allows for quicker repetitive testing and assessment of durability in miniature mechanical systems.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that fish constantly adjust their movements to optimize sensory input, a phenomenon also observed in humans. This discovery could lead to the development of smarter sensors in robots, enabling them to interact with their environment more effectively.
Researchers have developed an ultrathin, stretchable electronic skin that can be used for various human-machine interactions. The new method creates a fast, simple, and inexpensive way to produce thin-film circuits with integrated microelectronics.
Researchers at Osaka University have developed a system to quantify and control the surface motion of an android's face, enabling it to express a wider range of emotions. The system uses deformation units to measure and adjust facial movements, resulting in more nuanced expressions such as smiling and frowning.
Researchers developed an artificial tactile sensor that detects surface information like shapes, patterns, and structures with high accuracy. The sensor uses piezoelectric materials to mimic the properties of human skin, offering advantages over existing sensors, including detection through touch and sliding.
A Cornell University-led team developed modular robots that can perceive surroundings, make decisions and reconfigure themselves for different tasks. The robots' autonomous behavior and shape changes mark a significant step towards real-world applicability.
A new parser developed by MIT researchers can learn language through observation, mimicking a child's process, to improve human-machine interaction and natural language processing. The parser uses captioned videos to associate words with objects and actions, allowing it to accurately predict sentence meaning without direct context.
Researchers at Stanford University have created two frameworks, RoboTurk and SURREAL, that enable humans to teach robots basic skills more efficiently. The systems allow people to direct robot arms to perform tasks like picking up objects in real-time using a smartphone and browser.
A study on elephant trunk behavior could lead to robot hand designs with flexible hands or grippers. Researchers found that elephants apply more force when picking up small particles due to the weakest link theory, allowing them to stabilize and grasp various-sized food items.
MIT researchers have developed a method to control the fracturing process of atomically-thin, brittle materials, directing it to produce miniscule pockets of predictable size and shape. Embedded inside these pockets are electronic circuits and materials that can collect, record, and output data.
Researchers at Purdue University are developing a new simulation platform that uses artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and the Internet of Things to simulate factory settings. The platform aims to help manufacturers assess business success and risks, offset costs, and prepare workers for collaborating with robots.
The TIME for Robotics program will use virtual reality and personalized learning to teach students about robotics in advanced manufacturing, addressing fears that robots will take jobs. The program aims to attract diverse students and provide a skills gap solution for the industry.
A novel motion-planning model combines a planning algorithm with a neural network to help robots determine how to reach a goal by exploring the environment and exploiting learned experiences. This allows robots to learn from past experiences and adapt to new situations, enabling them to navigate complex environments more efficiently.
Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed a smart technology that enables two robots to work in unison to 3D-print large concrete structures. This allows for unique concrete designs currently not possible with conventional casting, and structures can be produced on demand and in a much shorter period.
The Carnegie Mellon team will leverage its expertise in modularity to develop robots that can adapt to various environments, including small spaces and large structures. The team aims to create robots capable of rapid mapping, exploring, and exploiting complex underground environments.
Researchers found that hummingbirds and nectar bats hover in different ways, with the former generating more lift relative to drag. Nectar bats' hovering form is a blend of fruit bats' and hummingbirds' hovering, with twisted wings on the upstroke.
Yale researchers have developed 'Robotic Skins' technology, enabling users to animate everyday objects and create multi-functional robots on the fly. The skins can perform different tasks depending on the properties of the soft objects and how they are applied, allowing for complex movements.
Researchers emphasize social and trust-building measures for robots in rehabilitation, recognizing the importance of cooperation and adaptability. They highlight the need for robots to recognize patients' aims and motives and be tailored to individual needs to achieve successful therapy.
A new study suggests robots can play an important role in teaching certain narrow subjects like vocabulary and prime numbers, but their social interaction limitations will keep them as teaching assistants for now. Robots have the potential to support and challenge students, freeing up time for human teachers.
A single-celled protozoan achieves incredible acceleration by contracting its body and utilizing supramolecular springs. The creature can shorten its body by 60% in a few milliseconds, reaching speeds of up to 200 meters per second squared.
Researchers developed an integrated fabrication process to design soft robots on the millimeter scale with micrometer-scale features, enabling changes in structure, motion, and color. The new technology paves the way for a new generation of flexible microrobots for medical and environmental tasks.
A study found that more than 70% of tweets about e-cigarettes were posted by robots, while human users showed strong support for vaping. The team analyzed nearly 194,000 geocoded tweets and identified adolescent Twitter users as particularly enthusiastic about e-cigarettes.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a novel substance that can be used to power inexpensive robotic devices, enabling them to grip, expand or change rigidity. The study's findings suggest that popcorn could be used to create miniature jumping robots and edible devices for medical procedures.
Researchers at the University of South Australia used machine-learning algorithms to demonstrate a link between eye movements and Big Five personality traits. The study tracked eye movements of 42 participants and found reliable recognition of neuroticism, extroversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness.